Changes that have saved you the most money.

[Vegreenmom]

I've done a few little things in the past to be frugal. However, it's always just been because I felt like doing it. Now we need to do it because we're just going through a lot of things financially.

So I was just curious, what things have you done that you think have saved you the most money (whether in the short or long term)?

[Dancing Lotus]

Giving up the credit cards has saved me the most. NOt only do I not spend money by buying things I cant afford but think of all the interest I have saved!


But I think what you are looking for is things like useing coupons, thats saved me the second most.

[nuisance26]

~If you haven't yet, read this thread! [ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58894"]What are your TOP TEN frugal tips? - Frugal Village Forums[/ame] Soooo many good ideas!~

[Vegreenmom]

~If you haven't yet, read this thread! x Soooo many good ideas!~

I've actually posted there a few times in the past when I was a member here under another username (that I can't remember the password to). But there have been new posts since then, so I'm going to go check it out. Thanks

[Vegreenmom]

But I think what you are looking for is things like useing coupons, thats saved me the second most.

This is the tip I keep finding the most often, thing is that we don't eat that many things that you get coupons for. We eat mostly whole foods (fruits, veggies, brown rice, beans etc etc) and then some juices/milks. I may have to send Silk a great little comment e-mail because I know lots of places will send you coupons if you write to them to rave about their products...and we could definitely use coupons for soymilk.

[Marie78]

I wish I could say that I found something this year exploring a more frugal life that has saved me a ton of money and I just can't pin point one thing. I was very fortunate that this year was my last year for my car loan and my college loan...freeing up around $300 I can put towards my CC debt now. I don't really notice the extra money each month because it's going towards paying more debt off, just different debt now. It's really all the small changes and looking at money differently that saves me the most money each month.

Coupons have saved me some money, I buy mostly generic food items because even with coupons they seem to be cheaper. I find the most savings with coupons when it comes to vitamins, shampoo & conditioner, toothpaste, cat food & cat treats, coffee, deodorant, and hair dye. I save between $10-$20 a month shopping with my coupons. If we go out to eat we also use coupons for the restaurants we like to eat at.

We cut eating out to once a week or less. I bring all leftovers from dinner for work the next day for lunch. I never eat lunch out when I am at work. Starbucks once a week or less as a treat.

I have mostly stopped buying things just to buy things. I look around at what I already have and most times I have something I can use. My work Christmas party was last night, I hit my closet and put together an outfit to wear, not worth it to me to buy something new for one evening out.

I won't buy books for myself anymore, I go to bookstores and write down the name of books I would like to read and put them on hold at the library for myself.

I hang dry a load or two of laundry each week to save $1-$2 (the cost of drying the clothes). This also extends the life of my office work clothes, since they never ride around in the dryer.

It's hundreds of small things that amount to savings for me each month. I wish you luck .

[KJayEsq]

The main initial changes I have made have included the Grocery Challenge to cut what I was spending at the store, plus I significantly downgraded my cable TV service, and found a great hairstylist who can do the same cut/color my other stylist was doing at a fraction of the cost (I have a job that requires me to speak in front of people a lot, very appearance-oriented, and I have short hair so what I was spending at the salon to maintain it was killing me!).

[KJayEsq]

Oh, I should add that I eat a similar diet to you and totally understand the expense involved! I usually can't find coupons for the stuff I eat either, though you can occasionally find coupons for oatmeal.

[toile]

Mine is staying home!
The more I stay away from all stores, the better I do.
I even have to avoid discount watcher sites.

[ilovechocolate]

Tracking all my expenses, down to the penny, has helped me the most. I now realize I was spending too much on groceries and WAY too much using the credit cards.

It's amazing how many things I was buying that were really unnecessary.

[PrairieRose]

For me it was to stop shopping for entertainment or out of boredom. Also when I come up with something I 'need' I will write it down and make myself wait for a few days to see if I 'get over it'. More times than not I do

Staying home, eating at home (even very healthy foods) and being willing to be more patient when I actually do need something. It helps me to come here daily and read and work on my focus.

[leezza]

Lots of the idea's here have saved me money:

Staying home: I was never a big shopper but just not going out at all has saved me the little things, like a quick coffee ect....

Bills: contact companies you deal with for example cable, (I was able to lower my bill $30 a month for 6 months).

CC: contact to see if they will lower your % on your balance.

Coupons/Store Cards: this is currently saving our family from 30-50% each time I visit the store. (and nope I don't eat a lot of junkie stuff)

Store weekly flyers: I used to throw these away when they came in the mail, now I take the one out for my local grocery store and check to see if they are having any deals, and I carry the flyer in my purse when I shop.......yesterday they didn't have a item that was in the flyer so they gave me the larger size for the same price. ($1 per item).

Check prices: I shop at three places for food: Safeway, Trader Joes, and Target,(for dairy).

Produce: you may want to check any ethnic food places in your area, here in our area there are latin and indian stores and they all seem to have produce that is less than the super market.

I think the main thing for me is that now I am always thinking about it.....and if you are going to try using coupons I would suggest keeping them in your purse or at least in your car so they are right there when you need them.

Good Luck,
leezza

[Daisygirl]

As always, I have a list -- jeez, imagine listening to me talk!

~The switch to compact fluorescent lightbulbs dropped my electric bill $20 a month
~ I cut back the pop at work to 1 a day that I bring from home, changing from $2-3 a day to 50 cents
~ Coffee out only once a week
~ Workday lunches out only once a week

Savings
Pop $520
Electricity $240
Coffee $312

[Daisygirl]

Darn, hit the wrong button and it won't let me edit, '
any how

Savings per Year
Pop $520
Electricity $240
Coffee $312
Lunches out $832

TOTAL: $1920
Now, I have not been doing this stuff a whole year and sometimes I slip, but I am doing MUCH better on these habits. I do not feel deprived - I only felt that way for the first week or so.

Little changes can make a HUGE difference. My advice is to look for osme of your sloppy, unhealthy, or lazy habits, and there you will find som fat to cut.

[StartingOver]

I was one of "those" people who never looked at a price tag or worried about the cost of things. Things happened and now I need to budget every penny.

The things that have saved me the most (are the most noticiable)

* Quit eating out for lunch every day
* Family now eats out only twice a month for dinner/lunch instead of 2-3 times a week.
* I now buy store brand items whenever I can...I've quit being "brand" loyal.
* Very, very conscious of how we use electricity and try to lower my bill every month, even if its by a dollar.